Bills-Vikings Anthem Draws Fan Criticism
Fans criticized an electric guitar rendition of the national anthem performed before Monday Night Football in Minneapolis.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Football
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An electric guitar solo of the Star-Spangled Banner, performed by John Jeffers at US Bank Stadium, drew criticism from fans on X before the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings game. The performance was meant to hype the home crowd before kickoff.
Why it matters
The pregame performance became a talking point during a nationally televised Monday Night Football matchup, with fans weighing in on how the national anthem is presented at NFL games. The game also drew attention because Odell Beckham Jr. was in contention to make his Vikings debut.
Beckham Jr. has not made a catch in the NFL since 2024, and his Giants contract was a $1.3 million deal that ended after he played 20 snaps across three games with one target.
The players
Odell Beckham Jr.
A former No. 12 overall pick of the New York Giants in 2014, Beckham Jr. is a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver whose NFL career has spanned six teams.
John Jeffers
Jeffers is a musician and childhood friend of former NFL running back Adrian Peterson who performed the anthem at the Vikings' home game.
The details
John Jeffers, a childhood friend of Adrian Peterson, performed the Star-Spangled Banner as a solo on an electric guitar before the Bills-Vikings game. Fans criticized the performance on X, while the Vikings added Beckham Jr. to their active roster ahead of the matchup.
Timeline
Preseason 2026: The New York Giants signed Odell Beckham Jr. ahead of the season.
September 2026: The Giants cut Beckham Jr. after three games and one target.
October 7, 2026: Beckham Jr. joined the Vikings practice squad.
November 9, 2026: The Bills-Vikings game and anthem performance took place.
Season Trajectory
The anthem controversy occurred during a Bills-Vikings game on Monday Night Football, a national broadcast slot that amplifies pregame presentation choices. Beckham Jr.'s path from the Giants to the Vikings practice squad illustrates how veteran wide receivers move through the league's rosters during the season.
Beckham Jr. is now on the Vikings practice squad, so his eligibility for an active-roster debut depends on a future roster move. Fantasy managers tracking him should watch for any elevation from the practice squad before counting on a role.
The takeaway
Pregame presentation choices at national NFL broadcasts draw immediate public scrutiny, and roster moves like Beckham Jr.'s can shift quickly during a season.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage for the latest on NFL rosters and game-day presentation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
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